Tinnitus—ie, change in sound perception, such as
ringing, that cannot be attributed to an external source—
often follows acute and chronic noise exposure, and
persists in a high proportion of affected individuals for
extended periods. 14 Tinnitus can affect quality of life in
several ways, including through sleep disturbance,
depression, or the inability to sustain attention.15 The fact
that hearing loss and tinnitus are reported in combination
suggests that both symptoms share common pathophysiological
pathways.